How to Use High Tech to Make Your Skin Care Routine Low Maintenance

Every morning brings about the usual fare: an alarm clock that pulls you from a sleepy slumber, a cup of coffee with a swirl of creamer, and a skincare routine you’ve got down pat. For some, that beauty regimen can take up to an hour (or longer), but for others it’s a simple 15-minute process that allows them to walk out the door looking and feeling great in their skin—quite literally. Look closely at some of these beauty routines, though, and you’ll see that an investment of high-maintenance, high-tech treatments allows for an easy low-maintenance day-to-day routine. 

The High-Low Beauty Paradox

More than ever before, we have access to a plenitude of high-tech skincare treatments and at-home gadgetry. The idea behind the “high-low paradox,” as Serene Obagi, NP-C, refers to it, is that the more we invest in these advanced technologies the less we have to do in both the short and long-term. 

“When we invest in medical-grade care, whether that’s home regimens or in-office procedures, you’re training your skin to behave better, act younger, and perform more efficiently [and for] longer,” Obagi explains. “That means there will be less work in front of the mirror every morning or night, and more confidence in your bare skin.” 

Celebrity esthetician Candice Marino agrees. She says that in her 20-year skincare career, she’s practiced and preached the high-maintenance/low-maintenance lifestyle to her clientele. 

“Your yearly, quarterly, and monthly treatments are what allow you to be effortlessly low-maintenance in your daily life,” she explains. “I’ve always been a strong advocate for investing in your skin first. When your skin looks its best, makeup becomes optional, and your everyday routine becomes that much easier.” 

The Best High-Tech Treatments for Low Maintenance Care 

A simple skincare routine of cleansing, moisturizing, and wearing SPF can take you very far in your quest for a low-maintenance day-to-day skincare routine, but if you want to level up then it’s smart to invest in in-office treatments and (proven effective) at-home gadgets. We surveyed skincare experts about their top recommendations. 

In-Office Treatments 

Ultimately, the best in-office treatments for a low maintenance skincare routine at home is one that aligns with your specific needs. Maybe you’re concerned about dark spots, or perhaps it’s fine lines or laxity. 

A combination of regenerative, resurfacing treatments is often ideal. Your provider can guide you on this journey, but here are some tried-and-true favorites. 

• Neuromodulators: Neuromodulators like Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau temporarily freeze your muscles to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and prevent new ones from forming. Dr. Obagi says, “This is the best way to prevent static lines on the face and appear more youthful and relaxed.” 
• Biostimulators: Biostimulators, such as Sculptra (injectible) or PRX-T33 (topical) work by stimulating your skin’s natural collagen production, gradually improving firmness, texture, and elasticity over time. These treatments build a long-lasting foundation for fewer touch-ups over the long-term. 
• NeoGen Plasma Skin Resurfacing: This is considered one of the most advanced and versatile skin technologies. “Unlike traditional lasers or microneedling, NeoGen uses nitrogen plasma to deliver controlled thermal energy deep into the skin while preserving the outer layer as a natural barrier,” explains Glenicia Nosworthy, MD, internal medicine and aesthetic physician and founder of Beauty Hacking™️.
• Microneedling: Especially when paired with radiofrequency (RF), LPD laser, and/or skin boosters, microneedling is a game-changer for your skin. “It stimulates collagen and improves tone/texture from the inside out,” Obagi explains. “RF microneedling tightens and firms while FLPD targets pigment, redness, and uneven, blotchy skin.” 
• Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF): These treatments are created from your own blood and concentrated with growth factors that stimulate repair. “I use it in delicate areas like the under eyes, in the scalp for hair restoration, or throughout the skin to support texture and tone. It’s natural, safe, and incredibly effective,” Dr. Nosworthy says. 

Best At-Home Skincare 

There’s plenty you can do at home, too. 

• Red Light Therapy: “This is something I use regularly and recommend to so many of my patients,” Dr. Nosworthy says. “It’s gentle but powerful, and it works at the cellular level by supporting mitochondrial health.” Make sure to choose a reputable brand, and note that a flexible mask allows you to use it on your face, neck, and other parts of your body. 
• Prescription Retinol: Only second to SPF, prescription retinol is a long-time favorite among skincare pros. And it’s helpful to use a medical-grade prescription, which is customized to your skin’s needs and the most bioavailable and therefore effective. 
• Microcurrent Devices: Handheld microcurrent tools use low-level electrical currents to help tone facial muscles and improve skin firmness with consistent use. While results are subtle and cumulative, many dermatologists say it’s like a workout for your face, helping to delay more invasive treatments down the line.
• At-Home Peels: Gentle chemical exfoliation, done weekly or biweekly depending on the formula, helps keep pores clear, brightens skin tone, and improves texture. Over time, it can reduce the need for more frequent facials or corrective treatments, especially when paired with hydrating and barrier-supporting products.